The data in the table below has been compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the basis of information provided by National Parliaments by 30 September 2006. 189 country are classified by descending order of the percentage of women in the lower or single House. Comparative data on the world and regional averages as well as data concerning the two regional parliamentary assemblies elected by direct suffrage can be found on separate pages. You can use the PARLINE database to view detailed results of parliamentary elections by country.

* Figures correspond to the number of seats currently filled in Parliament

1 - South Africa: The figures on the distribution of seats do not include the 36 special rotating delegates appointed on an ad hoc basis, and all percentages given are therefore calculated on the basis of the 54 permanent seats.

2 - Timor-Leste: The purpose of the elections held on 30 August 2001 was to elect the members of the Constituant Assembly of Timor-Leste. This body became the National Parliament on 20 May 2002, the date on which the country became independent, without any new elections.

3 - Singapore: The parliamentarians elected in May 2006 will take up their seats at the first sitting of the 11th Parliament, scheduled for November 2006. Ten additionnal seats will be appointed. There were 15 women out of 94 members in the outgoing Parliament dissolved on 22 April 2006.

4 - Bangladesh: In 2004, the number of seats in parliament was raised from 300 to 345, with the addition of 45 reserved seats for women. These reserved seats were filled in September and October 2005, being allocated to political parties in proportion to their share of the national vote received in the 2001 election.